Valverde (El Hierro), 29 (Europa Press)
Residents of the Port of La Restinga, situated in the municipality of El Pinar (El Hierro), gathered on the Maritime Avenue this morning for a demonstration against the management of the immigration situation affecting the islands, particularly around its port, which they claim is already causing difficulties in the daily lives of citizens in this fishing community and impacting social and economic activities in the region.
In a conversation with Europa Press, Loly Hernández, the president of the Association, along with Fernando Gutiérrez, a member of the Board, stated that Restinga is a “tranquil and welcoming community” that does not oppose providing humanitarian assistance but is currently facing an “unbearable” situation that disrupts the routines of both merchants and residents.
“We do not agree with the destruction of the resources that arrive in part of the spring, without any cleaning or maintenance, along with the noise this generates, especially close to a fish market and the beach… we want them to be completely removed,” Hernández conveyed. She also pointed out that as many as 41 containers have been placed at the dock to hold humanitarian aid supplies: “We believe it is possible to assist with less, not more,” she commented.
To alleviate the situation, the residents are requesting that alternative ports be used for landings instead of Restinga when feasible: “Not all vessels need to arrive at La Restinga if La Gomera, Tenerife, or the northern port of the island is closer,” remarked the president of the Neighbourhood Association.
Impact on Local Tourism
“People are no longer visiting as they used to, to enjoy a swim, because our dock is overcrowded, and the conditions are far from sanitary. The vessels arrive, and onshore they are unloaded, sorted, and moved,” Gutiérrez commented regarding how the situation is affecting tourism in the area.
While he mentioned that the authorities have devised a “solution” to ensure that the boats arrive and are “quickly” removed from the port, he recalled moments when as many as 40 vessels accumulated within the bay. “Now they arrive in groups of 3 or 2 and are swiftly taken out, but all this activity continues to be concentrated at the dock. This is disrupting daily life,” he explained.
According to Gutiérrez, the situation is not only “utterly unsustainable” for El Hierro but also for the entire Canary Islands, Spain, and Europe. He appeals for state accountability in managing the immigration crisis, directly addressing the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez: “This man has now decided that everyone must be accommodated here. Acknowledge it with your resources and your funds,” he urged.
“Why must we bear the burden on our homeland, our country, our island, our people, our region? Why?” he questioned.
The Condition of the Port
Fernando Gutiérrez elaborates that, due to the ongoing migratory situation, La Restinga, a fishing community, is “suffering.” He exemplifies the severe effects this has had on the diving sector, one of the “greatest assets that the island possesses” in terms of tourism.
“Individuals who previously visited for diving are no longer coming as frequently. Those who would come to enjoy their holidays in Restinga no longer visit as they once did. Even those who simply came to spend a Sunday are not coming as before.”
Gutiérrez believes that the response from the El Pinar Town Council has been adequate, as its mayor “is doing what he can,” alongside the president of the Cabildo and the Canary Islands. He places the “catastrophe” in managing this issue squarely on the state government’s shoulders: “They say, collect them. Yes, but who foots the bill?”
“If we continue at this pace, we will be ruined. We’ll ruin our island, ruin the Canary Islands, and ruin our homeland. In fact, we are already suffering, caught in the whirl of uncontrolled and excessive tourism,” he stated.
